ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INCREASED URINARY ZINC AND NEOPTERIN CONCENTRATIONS IN WOMEN WITH GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER

The course of malignant diseases is often associated with disturbed zi nc metabolism. Recent data indicate that endogenous cytokines are able to impair renal tubular zinc reabsorption which could be the reason f or enhanced urinary zinc excretion. In 52 patients with gynaecologic c ancer, we compared urinary zinc concentrations with urinary neopterin levels, which indicate the degree of immune activation in patients. Pa tients with progressive disease had significantly elevated urinary zin c and neopterin levels compared to healthy controls and to patients wi th stable disease or no further evidence of disease. In addition, a si gnificant correlation existed between neopterin and zinc levels. From the data we conclude that zinc metabolism is impaired in patients with gynaecologic cancer. Immune system activation may be involved in zinc metabolic abnormalities in patients.